Action News On The Road - Binghamton Part 2

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We’re on the road at Country Wagon Produce on Route 26 in Maine, New York. People come from all over for their fresh produce and their baked goods, let’s check it out.

The owners of The Country Wagon grow most of their own produce and it’s a great way to shop local.

“You’re buying local food,” Owner Andrea Eichhorn said. “We have a lot of specialty foods. We have a gift shop. We sell local milk and cheese now, we have honey, local honey, local eggs, just lots of stuff to put on your table.”

And the fruits and vegetables can’t be beat.

“Very best tomatoes without a doubt.We come all the way from Johnson City.It’s well wroth the trip.” And the only thing that tops the produce is their bakery.

“We have a nice bakery, we make our own pies,” Eichhorn said. “We make turnovers, all kinds of breads, sweet breads, cinnamon buns, cookies. Everyday we’re baking fresh in the morning.”

“She is the best pie maker in the world, no doubt about it.”

Without exaggeration their chocolate chip cookies are the best I have ever eaten and every time I drive by I have to stop and get one or two.

North Windsor Berries is more than just berries. It’s a u-pick vegetable farm and they have everything from tomatoes and squash to kohlrabi.

“We’re kind of unique in the fact that we u-pick pretty near any vegetable you can think of that doesn’t require a knife,” said Owner Bill Titus.

The fruits and vegetables are as fresh as it gets and Bill says it’s pretty economical too “Anything you want to u-pick is 40% off of retail so if people want to come out and pick their own they can save a lot of money and they can have a lot of fun doing it.”

Not only is it very satisfying to pick the food that you are going to eat, it also teaches children about gardening and where fruits and vegetables come from.

Another great place to bring the kids is The Discovery Center in Binghamton.The Discovery Center is a hands-on interactive children’s museum that started in 1984.

“Well there’s something for everyone at the Discovery Center, for the young and the young at heart,” said Marketing Director Martha Steed.

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity to get unplugged,” Steed said. “and get away from the tv and get out of the house.Even if it’s cold out or snowy, the weather’s always perfect inside here. So it’s a fun day out for the family.”

The storybook garden at the Discovery Center is free and open to the public.

At The Loft they feature what they call new immigrant cuisine- food that shaped Binghamton at the turn of the century made with a modern twist.

“We’re taking that immigrant cuisine, I’m classically French trained we’re putting a new spin on it and taking it to a higher level,” said Executive Chef and Owner Michael Bunker.

Some of their signature dishes are Pork Schnitzel, Beef Short Ribs and Lamb Bolognese. They also feature delicious drinks at their bar.

“It’s something new and fresh and different than Binghamton has offered,” said Owner Kyle Bunker. “Binghamton has it’s staples and they’re wonderful for what they are and we still enjoy them to this day but we just wanted to bring something new to the area.”

The Loft is family owned and operated and open for lunch, dinner and brunch.

And if you are in need of some relaxation stop in to the spa at Traditions.

It’s a full service spa and offers treatments and services from head to toe.Hair styling, makeup, manicures, pedicures, facials and massages.They even have a couples suite so that you can enjoy a massage next to someone special.

“It offers a more secluded area for couples to come and have a side-by-side massage, so it’s a 50 minute massage and they also enjoy chocolate covered strawberries and champagne afterward,” said Betsy Musser, spa director.

They also feature the one-of-a-kind Salt Sanctuary which was built to look like a natural salt cave.

“It is a natural therapy, it’s wonderful for respiratory issues as well as skin conditions such as excema and psoriasis,” Musser said.

The spa also has a party room to accommodate groups or parties.

Whether you are spending an hour or an entire day at the spa you are sure to leave relaxed and rejuvenated.